Featured Artist Gabriella Collier

Artist Gabriella Collier paints expressive, ethereal landscapes using acrylic and mixed media. Learn more about this artist by visiting her website.

 

 

From a young age, I always had a keen interest in drawing. I had never really painted until I attended art college. It was there that I discovered that I was a painter.

 

 

I studied a total of four years, which included a one year fundamental intensive program followed by a three year illustration diploma program.

 

 

After graduating, I worked for more than ten years in graphic and commercial advertising companies, but always kept my own practice of painting at home.

 

 

When I began painting at home, I would paint landscapes. College was always geared towards design and conceptual and figurative studies for the commercial workplace, so when I painted at home, it was an opportunity to explore landscapes.

 

 

Having a home studio allowed me to paint every day. Since then, I have been creating landscapes, primarily beachscapes. My beachscapes came about from having a cottage on Wasaga Beach, which is north of Toronto.

 

 

I would I paint plein air, but I would also make quick drawings and take photographs. Now, I only use the reference from my on-location drawings to produce work in my studio.

 

 

In my studio, I use mainly acrylics, but I also find myself mixing in pastels, graphite and other media to help me explore my images. To me, the image is the starting point but not the final goal.

 

 

I like to integrate texture and gestural qualities into the work to create movement. I also play with pouring colours and using drips to create interest. Changing the way I begin my paintings also keeps me exploring new ways of interpretation.

 

 

It is the combination of these practices that I like to use in order to produce something a little bit different each time.

 

 

Even though I am deeply rooted to the traditional image, my goal is to continue pushing towards abstraction. I think by pursuing this idea, it will give me more freedom and a chance to explore the media as well as the images.

 

 

My inspiration comes from the interesting and quiet settings of landscapes that I encounter. I find myself in awe of the enormity and power that they hold. This is what I strive to capture when I paint.

 

 

My work is frequently used for commercials, movies, HGTV home renovation shows, as well as many home magazines.

 

Artist Gabriella Collier invites you to follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

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